How much wetland area has China restored since 2012?

Since 2012, China has restored or rejuvenated over 1 million hectares of wetlands.

What is China's ranking in global wetland area?

China has the largest expanse of wetlands in Asia and ranks fourth globally.

What are China's future priorities for wetland conservation?

Future priorities include refining the legal framework, establishing a wetland area control system, and enhancing monitoring and early warning systems.

Home / Environment / China Protects 1M Hectares of Wetlands

China Protects 1M Hectares of Wetlands

3 Feb

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Summary

Over 1 million hectares of wetlands restored since 2012.
China boasts Asia's largest and world's fourth-largest wetlands.
3,800 projects achieved this significant conservation milestone.

China has made historic progress in wetland conservation, adding or rejuvenating more than 1 million hectares of wetlands since 2012. This remarkable feat was accomplished through over 3,800 distinct projects, establishing China as the country with the largest wetland area in Asia and the fourth largest globally.

The nation has bolstered its commitment through a comprehensive new framework prioritizing restoration and categorized protection. Legal safeguards have been continuously strengthened, with a dedicated national law taking effect in 2022 and 21 provincial regions enacting or revising their own regulations.

To further these efforts, China has established a robust management system, designating 82 internationally important wetlands, 80 of national importance, and 1,208 at the provincial level. Additionally, 903 national wetland parks have been created, with about 90 percent offering free public access and attracting approximately 320 million tourist visits annually.